The Department of Geography offers a PBC in Community Development and Planning, and a joint certificate (with Department of Biological Sciences) in GIS Analysis with two options: Ecological GIS or GIS Applications.

Both certificates are designed for graduate and non-degree seeking graduate students.

Community Development and Planning Certificate

The certificate is designed to instill in students the knowledge and skills necessary to prepare for a career in the field of community development or land use planning. Originally earmarked for returned Peace Corps Fellows, who form an integral part of the Peace Corps Fellows (PCF) program in community development, it is now open to all WIU graduate students in good academic standing. Any graduate student in the certificate program has an opportunity to earn both a certificate and a master's degree.

The Departments of Geography and Biological Sciences have a joint post-baccalaureate Certificate in GIS Analysis with two options: A. Ecological GIS, or B. GIS Applications. This interdisciplinary, skill-based program is designed to train graduate students to become GIS analysts in their specialty fields or disciplines. Students will gain GIS expertise from all three perspectives of GIS learning: theoretical understanding, skill development, and real-world problems solving. The certificate is open to WIU graduate students in good academic standing. Any graduate student in the certificate program has an opportunity to earn both a certificate and a master's degree.